Northern Illinois University
Department of Public Administration
School of Public and Global Affairs

Our Online Graduate Certificate in Public Budgeting and Financial Management is designed for the mid-career finance professional and/or accountant who works in the public sector. Students are classified by the university as “Students-at-Large” completing fifteen hours of coursework. The certificate provides students with the core competencies that align with professional certification standards.

Upon completion of the certificate, the fifteen hours of credit earned may be applied towards a Master of Public Administration (M.P.A) degree with the advice and approval of the department chair. You may apply for the M.P.A. program as a mid-career student.

How To Apply

If you are applying for the graduate certificate in public management you must complete the following two steps:

1. Visit Students-at-Large Admissions to submit a student-at-large application to the Graduate School.

1. Submit the following documents directly to the Department of Public Administration at  publicadm@niu.edu

• Unofficial copies of non-NIU undergraduate and graduate transcript(s).

• A career goal statement detailing how work experience and career objectives can be enhanced by completing the public management certificate.

• A current resume.

• One professional letter of recommendation from a current or recent supervisor on official letterhead bearing an original signature.